| At the end of each day, thousands of Social Security | | | | your application, he or she should see "I can sit up to |
| disability applications have been processed. Social | | | | 20 minutes at a time, stand for 10 minutes, and can lift |
| Security workers review disability files and make | | | | or carry up to 5 lbs. I was unable to work about 10 |
| determinations based on paperwork--decisions that will | | | | days per month before I lost my last job. Dr. Smith has |
| affect thousands of lives. The disability application | | | | restricted me from current employment because of |
| process is a long one, with dozens of signatures, | | | | my back pain and heavy medication." Which do you |
| contact numbers and medical research, and often | | | | think a Social Security worker is more likely to |
| desperate hopes. It is disappointing that about 70% of | | | | approve? |
| these disabled Americans will have their hopes dashed | | | | Mistake #3: Leaving the dirty work to Social Security |
| by an official denial in the mail. | | | | Applicants are told that Social Security will request any |
| Although the chances of being denied initially are high, | | | | necessary medical records and provide a medical |
| there are some things these applicants could have | | | | consultation if necessary. All you need to do is submit |
| done to lower their chances of being denied. Here are | | | | an application, and they will do the rest. Right? |
| three common mistakes to avoid while applying for | | | | If you're serious about getting disability benefits, do your |
| disability: | | | | research before you even submit the application. Get |
| Mistake #1: Sloppy paperwork | | | | all your records from your doctors, clinics, hospitals, |
| Those who are serious about their Social Security | | | | counselors, employers and anyone who may become |
| application should write clearly and legibly. Be sure to | | | | important to your case. Obtain records from before |
| review each page of the application thoroughly, ask | | | | you became disabled if possible, all the way up to the |
| questions, and make sure you understand the disability | | | | present. And make copies of everything just in case. |
| process before applying your signature. Make sure | | | | The most important documents are those related to |
| each page is present and in order, and that all required | | | | your ability to work, and a narrative or disability form |
| information is attached. | | | | from your doctor is of utmost importance. |
| One of the first things a Social Security worker after | | | | If you haven't been to see a doctor in awhile, but are |
| receiving an application is to look through the | | | | serious about getting Social Security benefits, do not |
| paperwork to see if anything is missing. If you are | | | | wait for Social Security to send you to their doctor. |
| serious about getting Social Security disability benefits, | | | | Find a dependable doctor who supports your disability |
| don't give them any chance to put your file aside. | | | | claim and build a relationship fast--it is very difficult to |
| Delays only cost you valuable time and put your | | | | get disability benefits based solely on the testimony of |
| disability benefits further out of reach. It is worth a | | | | a Social Security doctor who doesn't know you and |
| second look to make sure everything is present. | | | | your condition at all. |
| Mistake #2: Lack of detail | | | | These tips will make your Social Security file clearer, |
| Many disability applications have general statements | | | | streamlined and efficient, and maximize your chances |
| such as "I can't work." This may be true, but it doesn't | | | | of being approved for disability quickly. Wherever you |
| add to your case. Instead, be specific as to why you | | | | are in the process, best of luck. |
| cannot work. When a Social Security worker reviews | | | | |